Correct Answer: Both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.

Solution : The correct answer is (a) Both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.

The assertion is true. The Industrial Policy Resolution of 1956 in India aimed to create a socialist pattern of society. It emphasized the promotion of public-sector industries and reduced the dominance of the private sector. The policy aimed to achieve a balanced and planned development of industries with the active participation of the state, aiming for a more equitable distribution of wealth and resources.

The reason is also true. The emphasis on promoting public-sector industries and reducing private-sector dominance was a means to create a socialist pattern of society. By encouraging the public sector, the policy aimed to ensure that industries would be directed towards the broader welfare of society rather than solely driven by profit motives. This approach aligned with the goals of socialism, which aims for collective ownership and control of resources.

Therefore, the reason provided is the correct explanation for the assertion. The Industrial Policy Resolution of 1956 aimed to create a socialist pattern of society by promoting public-sector industries and reducing private-sector dominance.